Jessie Lau thought dress hunting would be straightforward. But her anxieties became less about the look itself, and more ...

Gold symbolises fortune, power and longevity in Chinese culture, so it is no surprise that for generations items made from the precious metal have been the most popular gift for wedding couples.

The dragon and the phoenix are common motifs in Chinese wedding jewellery. They always appear in pairs and represent harmony between the masculine and the feminine.

The phoenix represents beauty, grace and the Chinese yin, while the dragon represents power, strength and the yang. The two are embroidered together on the dresses to symbolise a long, happy marriage.

In traditional Chinese culture, the dragon symbolizes power and dignity. People born in the Year of the Dragon are often seen as confident, optimistic, passionate, energetic and intelligent.